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ULTIMATE GUIDE TO THE BEST CHILDRENS BOOKSHOP LONDON STYLE!

INSIDE: All you need to know guide to the 7 Best Childrens Bookshop London has to offer.

If you adore books, and want to immerse your children, (or perhaps the children dearest to you) in the world of storytelling, there are 7 WONDERFUL BOOKSHOPS IN LONDON to visit that will spark their fire for reading and curiosity.

Each of these bookstores in London earns their place on this list because the owners and staff truly believe in the power of books and words for:

  • change and growth
  • as well as enjoyment, and learning.

Take a look at this guide & find all the best London bookshops below. 

Disclosure: This article contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase after clicking on one of these links, we may receive a small commission at NO extra cost to you.

Discover Story Centre

Best Childrens Bookshop London Style!

Correct at time of publication on Roam the Gnome. Please check with venue for updates. We apologise in advance if there have been any changes we are unaware of. All prices in British pounds, unless otherwise stated

A Childrens Bookshop London style also offers something a little out of the ordinary.

Perhaps a particular type of book, or a rare signed copy, or events so full of imagination and joy that the adults want to join in too.

They are often small size independent bookshops with a big heart.

Take a look at the London bookshops for kids that we love with all our heart.


RELATED: The ULTIMATE List of Things to Do in LONDON with Kids

image - marchpane bookshop london

BEST CHILDRENS BOOK SHOPS IN LONDON FOR KIDS

Is there anything better than going into the best book shops in London and having a poke around to find the latest releases, must have classics and random new finds that jump out at you?

Surely not. 

The best bookstores in London to peruse children’s books are listed below, in no particular order.

Explore them all. 

discovery childrens discovery centre playground

No.1: Discover Children’s Story Centre Kids Book Shop

THIS is where you’ll find the biggest book shop in London dedicated to kids.

Discover Children’s Story Centre, one of the best kid days out in London.

Not only is Discover Children’s Story Centre home to one of the best book stores in London for kids, the entire place is an ode to books, and encouraging children to read in a fun way.

If you are looking for kids books about London, they can help.

The Discover story centre playground outside is one of the best places for kids to play in London too!

Read our guide for details on how to get here, opening hours etc. 


READ MORE: These are the Best Kids Books About London (coming soon) 

image - pickled-peppers-book-shop-london

Main image credit: Pickled Peppers

No.2: Pickled Pepper Children’s Bookstore London

Pickled Peppers Book shop is a specialist interactive children’s bookshop located in Crouch End, North London.

If you can only go to one children’s book shop in London, visit this one.

Not only is it a super cute book shop, with rainbow coloured bunting, magical window displays, and a light filled space, they offer:

  • preschool activities during the week
  • story time, and
  • book clubs and illustration workshops for kids on the weekend.

Pickled Pepper Books London’s pièce de résistance is the author in-person book signings, and theatre events that bring stories to life, almost every weekend.

Address: 10 Middle Lane, Crouch End London, N8 8PL
Opening hours:

  • Monday – Friday, 9:30 am – 5:30 pm
  • Saturday, 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
  • Sunday, 11:00 am – 5pm

Website: Click here

tales on moon lane bookshop

Image credit: Tales on Moon Lane

No.3: Tales on Moon Lane Childrens Book Shop, Herne Hill

This London Book Shops claim to fame is they are an award winning book shop for children that has been in existence for 14 years!

Filled with every kind of child’s book imaginable, and a team of booksellers who LIVE and BREATHE children’s fiction, it’s the place to pick up your next London souvenir or gift for a reader, especially as they gift wrap!

This kids bookshop hosts:

  • FREE regular weekly story time events for preschoolers where staff tell stories for kids, and
  • reading programs too.

Address:  25 Half Moon Lane, Herne Hill, London  SE24 9JU
Opening hours: 

  • Monday to Saturday, 9am to 5.30pm
  • Sunday and Bank holidays 10.30 to 4.30

Website: Click here 

How to get to Tales on Moon Lane

By train: Tales On Moon Lane is situated a few minute’s walk from Zone 2 Herne Hill rail station, with trains to and from Victoria, Blackfriars, Kings Cross, Wimbledon, Bedford and Luton.

By bus: The 3, 37, 322, 196, 201, and 690 either at Herne Hill train station or directly outside the shop. Stops D and E are the closest

childrens bookshop london

Image credit: Children’s Bookshop London

No.4: Childrens Bookshop Muswell Hill

The Children’s Bookshop has been in service to families and children since 1974!

That’s over 45 years.

The children’s bookshop Muswell Hill stocks a huge range of fiction and non-fiction, but most importantly, if you get stuck choosing or would like some insights on popular London books for kids, their specialist staff are at the ready.

The Muswell Hill children’s bookshop in London hosts:

  • author visits
  • author meet and greets, and
  • fun book signings.

Plus they have a weekly story time for children of all ages on Thursdays at 11 am and Saturdays at 10am.

Address:  29 Fortis Green Rd, London, N10 3HP
Opening hours: Monday – Saturday, 9.15am – 5.45pm
Website: Click here

the alligators mouth

Image credit: The Alligators Mouth

No.5: The Alligator’s Mouth Childrens Bookshop London

Alligator’s Mouth is an independent children’s bookshop in Richmond, with strong links to the local community.

You can find all kinds of children’s books here, for babies, toddlers, preschoolers, primary school kids and teens.

They also sell a small selection of hand-picked stationery, cards and board games.

Check out their events, including weekly storytime with a story and a song, bookclub, Folktale Friday, and a comics club for budding illustrators.

They also host author and illustrator meet and greets, and book signings. Oliver Jeffers once visited!

Address: 2a Church Court, Richmond, TW9 1JL
Opening hours:

  • Mon-Fri: 10am-5:30pm
  • Saturday: 10am-6pm
  • Sundays and Bank Holidays: 11am-4pm

Website: Click here

How to get to the Alligators Mouth Book Shop:

From Richmond rail/underground:

  • Turn left out of the station entrance.
  • Walk down George Street until you pass Tesco Metro; we are on Church Court, an alley running alongside, down towards the church yard of St Mary Magdalene Church.

By bus: 

The shop is within close walking distance from any bus stop that serves:

  • George Street (turn down Church Court by Tescos) or
  • Richmond Bus Station (turn left and walk on towards Church Terrace until you pass the church)

image - cecil court london harry potter diagon alley street pic

No.6: Marchpane Children’s Bookshop London

Located in the centre of Cecil Court London, the quiet pedestrian lane lined with antiquarian bookshops, tucked away in London’s bustling West End, Marchpane opened in August 1989.

THIS is the famous lane mentioned above, said to be the inspiration for Diagon Alley. (pictured above)

Marchpane is the premier specialist in Lewis Carroll, Alice in Wonderland, Alice Liddell, books and ephemera in the West End.

Over the last 30 years, Marchpane has become well known as a specialist in children’s and illustrated books from the eighteenth century up to the present day.

marchpane childrens bookshop

Image credit: Marchpane Books

If you are looking for a signed first edition of Harry Potter, this is the place to go.

They stock all the classics and the best British collectable children’s books.

You might find:

  • Winnie-the-Pooh
  • Peter Pan
  • The Wind in the Willows
  • The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe
  • The Wizard of Oz
  • Pinocchio
  • Nursery Rhymes
  • Hans Christian Andersen
  • Grimms Fairy Tales
  • Perrault.

Address: 16 Cecil Court, London  Wc2
Opening hours: Monday to Saturday 10.30am to 6pm
Website: Click here

image - owl-bookshop london

No.7: Owl Bookshop Children’s Books section

Take the older kids to this eclectic book shop in London.

You can find exquisite books for primary aged children and young teens, including:

  • illustrated copies of Charles Darwin’s On the Origin of Species
  • The Incredible Ecosystems of Planet Earth
  • Big Ideas for Curious Minds, and
  • The Explorer by Katherine Rundell.

This one doesn’t really cater for toddlers or younger kids, so don’t bother.

Address: Owl Bookshop, 207-209 Kentish Town Road, Kentish Town, London NW5 2JU
Website: Click here

Looking for MORE SUPER DOOPER FUN Things to Do with Kids in LONDON?

Click the blue links below for more London tips


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